latimes.com

Barack Obama blasts back at President Bush, John McCain

May 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

A day after the president's 'appeasement' comments, Obama accuses the Republicans of strengthening America's enemies in the Middle East and using 'fear-mongering' to silence critics.

In a day of intense verbal sparring, Sen. Barack Obama angrily accused President Bush and Sen. John McCain on Friday of strengthening America's enemies in the Middle East and relying on "fear-mongering" to silence critics of their policies.

Trying to mend fences with the NRA, McCain attacks Democrats

May 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Many 'gunnies' at the group's conference remain suspicious that he will not advance their agenda; some predict the Republican will not win an endorsement.

Sen. John McCain, working to mend a frayed relationship with some of the Republican Party's most dedicated foot soldiers, went to the National Rifle Assn.'s annual conference here Friday to assure wary members he is a friend of the 2nd Amendment.

Obama's wealth has skyrocketed

May 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

His assets were worth as much as $7.35 million at the end of 2007, an FEC filing shows. Even so, he is the least wealthy of the three major presidential candidates.

Barack Obama's wealth has more than doubled during his presidential campaign -- and has shot up tenfold since he entered the U.S. Senate three years ago, his financial disclosure filed Friday shows.

FEC standoff ends as nominee Hans von Spakovsky withdraws

May 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Democrats had objected to the Bush nominee's Justice tenure overseeing voting rights matters.

President Bush's contentious nominee for the Federal Election Commission removed his name from consideration Friday, potentially ending a stalemate that had paralyzed the agency.

In NRA speech, Mike Huckabee makes crack about Barack Obama as target

May 17, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Huckabee later apologizes for the ad-lib, which followed a sharp noise offstage. He'd said the noise was Obama ducking for cover from someone aiming a gun.

Republican Mike Huckabee responded to a sharp offstage sound during his speech to the National Rifle Assn. by suggesting that it was Barack Obama diving to the floor because someone had aimed a gun at him.

John McCain and Barack Obama tilt toward the center on Iraq plans

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

The presidential hopefuls, once far apart on the war, leave themselves more wiggle room.

After launching their candidacies with opposite positions on the Iraq war, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama seem to be edging toward a middle ground between them.

John McCain looks 'back' on first presidential term

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

In an Ohio address that hits many independent notes, he outlines his vision: better international relations. No 'signing statements.' Lower corporate and capital gains taxes. Iraq war, over.

With an eye on independent voters who could decide the fall election, Sen. John McCain delivered a sweeping speech Thursday in the crucial state of Ohio portraying his first term in the White House as a departure from the Bush administration on issues from foreign policy to how he will deal with the Congress and the media.

House defeats war-funding provision

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Republicans, protesting a Democratic procedure, block it for now. The $166 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is likely to be approved later.

A war-funding measure passed the House on Thursday, but without any war funding.

In Israel, President Bush derides terrorism 'appeasement'; Barack Obama bristles

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

Citing the Nazi era, he says in a Knesset speech that negotiations are a 'delusion.' Democrats react angrily, with Obama -- who opposes talks with Hamas -- calling it a 'false political attack.'

President Bush warned Thursday against appeasing terrorists, invoking the prelude to World War II -- and drawing anger from Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats.

Veterans' Affairs doctor tells staff to refrain from PTSD diagnoses

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM PDT

The VA has repudiated the memo, but outraged veterans see a reluctance from the government to support their disability.

The physician in charge of the post-traumatic stress disorder program at a medical facility for veterans in Texas told staff members to refrain from diagnosing PTSD because so many veterans were seeking government disability payments for the condition.